Dozens of fishermen reportedly breaking new whitebaiting rules at popular Canterbury site
Department of Conservation staff will be patrolling Canterbury’s whitebaiting hotspots amid reports some frequent fishermen are reluctant to follow the new rules.
In June, the then acting Conservation Minister Ayesha Verrall announced changes to whitebaiting regulations, which had last been reviewed in 1990.
The changes, to be phased in over three years, include a shorter season, new regulations and size limits on fishing gear – fixed nets a maximum of three metres long and 20m apart – and restrictions to fishing only in estuaries and near river mouths.
But one Canterbury whitebaiter, a regular around the Waimakariri River mouth who did not want to be named, said he saw upwards of a dozen rule-breakers in the area every day.
The biggest issue, he said, was people using oversized fishing gear – usually set-nets over six metres in length – although he had been told about others fishing past the 8pm limit.
The man said he had made multiple reports to the Department of Conservation (DOC), and had sent photos and car registration numbers, but little had been done in terms of enforcing the rules.
“The rules are in place for a reason ... If they’re doing it here, others are probably doing it elsewhere [too].”
DOC’s Mahaanui operations manager, Andy Thompson. said the new regulations were clear and readily available, and it was disappointing to hear some were not following them.
DOC is undertaking a series of compliance patrols, he said, which include weekends and early-mornings.
Rangers will focus on popular whitebaiting spots including the Waimakariri River mouth.
Thompson encouraged people to phone in if they saw others breaking the rules. All calls would be logged, he said, and used to identify potential problem spots for the next patrol.
When people are not complying, rangers can take either an educational or compliance approach. That could include a $400 fine – or up to $800 if that fine was appealed, or not paid.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Proposed Canterbury landfill faces huge opposition
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
More than 500 submissions have been received in response to a proposed managed fill landfill in North Canterbury.
Christchurch-based Protranz International Ltd has applied to Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock.
Waimakariri District Council planning manager Wendy Harris said the applicant was up against ‘‘probably the most organised local group I’ve ever seen’’.
‘‘They organised a protest march, they’ve got signs all around and they’ve got a website and a Facebook page.’’
She said the 548 submissions was more than the 421 submissions to the draft Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in 2021.
A proposed housing development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, in 2022 received 630 submissions.
While the details of the submissions have yet to be released, it is understood the majority are opposed.
Harris said planners from the two councils will plan joint hearings early next year.
More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High St in September to express their opposition.
Organiser Mike McCaleb said residents are concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
He said he was surprised there were not more submissions but said he was aware of several people who had issues with Environment Canterbury’s website timing out.
‘‘It will be interesting to see the details of the submissions.’’
Protranz is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Rd, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos.
The company bought Whiterock Quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill.
‘‘Sending this stuff to Kate Valley adds a massive cost to developers, homeowners and community organisations who have dirt to move, and fills Kate Valley with material that can be better managed somewhere else,’’ Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said.
He said Protranz commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design of the managed fill to support the resource consent applications.
The reports found environmental risks were ‘‘extremely low and able to be mitigated’’, Daldry said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Loading…
